Author: gavin

Bertie Ahern is waffling and should back down in regard to Fine Gael requests for a review of the impending legislation.

Mr Ahern said that the Bill had been reviewed for the last year. When the first report was published last year, the Minister had taken full account of the issues involved.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny suggested that the recommendations of the second report of the Morris tribunal, and the extent of the Garda Sa­ochana Bill, be examined by a three-person committee with international experience. It could report by the end of September, allowing the Government to enact an effective, modern and acceptable Bill by the end of the year.

“The Taoiseach claims repeatedly that the Minister for Justice is convinced that the Bill will work. However, Mr Justice Morris made recommendations that are not contained in the Bill.” People were concerned, he added, that another McBrearty case might occur. “They are worried that structures will not change sufficiently to have accountability, transparency and professionalism in the Garda force.

Ahern noted:

However, there are 120 cases like that one against the State and the Garda, starting off against actions in Donegal